Al-Merreikh take narrow lead in semi

Al-Merreikh take narrow lead in semi

AFP

Al-Merreikh of Sudan scored ten minutes from time to grab a 2-1 first-leg lead over TP Mazembe of Congo DR in a CAF Champions League semi-final. Local star Bakry 'Al Medina' Babiker snatched the winner before a 45,000 crowd crammed into the Omdurman stadium.

Ghanaian Francis Coffie put semi-final debutants Merreikh ahead against four-time African champions Mazembe as half-time drew near. Thomas Ulimwengu, one of two Tanzanians in the multi-national line-up of the Congolese outfit, levelled on 77 minutes.

It was the first goal Merreikh conceded at home in seven Champions League matches this season, and could prove crucial overall. A 1-0 victory for Mazembe in southern mining city Lubumbashi next Sunday would take them into the final on away goals.

The first leg of the other semi-final will also be played in Omdurman with Al Hilal of Sudan hosting USM Alger of Algeria Sunday at a different stadium.